Grandma's Secret: Just 4 ingredients. I start this before lunch and dessert handles itself by dinner.

This 4-ingredient slow cooker vintage caramel apple pudding cake is the kind of dessert our Midwestern grandmothers leaned on when company might drop by and the oven was already busy with a roast. It starts with a humble cake mix and canned pie filling, then turns into a glossy, spoonable caramel pudding cake while you go about your day. I put it on right after lunch, just like my own grandma did before Sunday chores, and by dinnertime the whole house smells like warm apples and brown sugar. The slow cooker does all the work, gently baking the batter while the brown sugar and butter melt into a deep amber caramel that settles under and around the cake, just like those old church-supper “magic” puddings.

Serve this warm right out of the slow cooker, scooped into bowls so you catch both the soft cake and the caramel puddle underneath. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream melts beautifully over the hot pudding cake. It’s also lovely with a cup of coffee after a hearty pot roast or pork chops and mashed potatoes. If you like a little contrast, sprinkle a pinch of flaky salt over each serving to play up the caramel, or add a handful of toasted pecans on top for crunch.

Servings: 8

1 (21-ounce) can apple pie filling

Lightly grease a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with butter or nonstick spray to keep the pudding cake from sticking.

Spoon the apple pie filling into the bottom of the slow cooker and spread it into an even layer so every scoop later has some fruit.

In a medium bowl, sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix evenly over the top of the apples. Do not stir; just shake the bowl gently if needed to break up any big clumps.

In a small bowl, stir the brown sugar with your fingers or a fork to break up any lumps, then sprinkle it evenly over the dry cake mix, again without stirring. You want loose layers so the caramel can form as it cooks.

Slowly drizzle the melted butter evenly over the entire surface, trying to moisten as much of the dry mix and sugar as you can. It will not look perfect or fully mixed, and that’s exactly right for a pudding cake.

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until the top looks set and cake-like, the edges are deep amber and slightly crisp, and you can see a glossy caramel bubbling up around the sides.

Once done, turn off the slow cooker and let the pudding cake rest, covered, for about 10 to 15 minutes. This helps the hot caramel thicken slightly while keeping the cake soft and pillowy.

To serve, scoop down through the tender cake layer and into the bottom so you get warm apples and caramel sauce in every spoonful. Serve straight from the slow cooker while still warm.

For a stronger old-fashioned flavor, you can use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix, but keep the total ingredients to the same four by simply swapping one box for the other. If your family likes nuts, scatter 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the brown sugar layer before drizzling the butter; the nuts will toast gently as the pudding cake cooks. For extra apple flavor, choose a pie filling labeled “extra fruit” and avoid ones with artificial cinnamon if you’re sensitive to it. If your slow cooker tends to run hot, start checking at the earliest time given so the caramel doesn’t scorch around the edges; every slow cooker is a little different, just like every grandma’s kitchen. To keep the lid from dripping water back onto the dessert, you can lay a clean kitchen towel over the top of the slow cooker before putting the lid on, making sure the towel edges are well away from any heat source. Food safety tips: Always use canned apple pie filling that is within its expiration date and has been stored at a safe room temperature. Do not leave the finished pudding cake sitting on the “warm” setting for more than 2 hours; after that, turn the slow cooker off, cool leftovers promptly, and refrigerate them in a covered container. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave until steaming hot before eating. If you’re using an older slow cooker, check that the cord and plug are in good condition and avoid using an extension cord, as this dessert cooks unattended for several hours.